These libations—with everything from Cognac to applejack—prove that brandy is dandy.

By Kelly Magyarics, DWS, CSX Editor-in-Chief

What’s that? You think brandy should be relegated to silk robe-adorned old men enjoying snifters next to the fireplace? It’s time to banish thoughts of the grape-based spirit as merely an after-dinner sipper for the senior set and trade the snifter for the shaker. Just like wine—from which it’s distilled—brandy adds complexity to cocktails. Here are five libations, each of which uses a different style from around the world.

American Brandy

Sidro de MieleRecipe courtesy of beverage director Tim Hayes, Bibiana, Washington, D.C.Each year, Bibiana releases its 25 Days of Cocktails just in time for the holidays, and this brandy concoction is #20 on the list. Germain Robin Brandy from California is a mixture of old spirits, and is considered a VSOP-level spirit. For even more cinnamon flavor, garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick.

2 oz. Germain Robin Coast Road Reserve Brandy
¼ oz. cinnamon maple syrup (1/2 cup warm water, ½ cup maple syrup and 1 tsp cinnamon, stirred to combine)
½ oz. lime juice
1 ½ oz. apple cider

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain it into a chilled coupe glass.

Apple Brandy

Jumping JackRecipe adapted from Cuff and Buttons and Laird’s ApplejackReally popular in the Colonial period, applejack and apple brandy are made by freeze distilling hard cider. Its delicate hint of apple aroma and flavor is joined here strong espresso and a heavy cream float.

2 oz. Laird's 100 Proof Straight Apple Brandy
1 oz. chilled espresso
½ oz. cinnamon syrup (1/2 cup water, ½ cup sugar and 2 cinnamon sticks, simmered and strained)
Heavy cream, for float

Add first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and float heavy cream on top.

The Sidecar is a classic Cognac cocktail. Photo credit Alejandra Owens.

Cognac

Sidecar
The quintessential Cognac cocktail, the Sidecar is believed to date back to either London or Paris in the World War I era. It’s a variation of the sour, where brandy provides the booze, lemon the tartness, and orange liqueur the sweetness. For a fancier presentation, rub the outside of the glass with an orange slice and rim it with rock sugar.

1 1/2 oz. Gautier VS Cognac
¾ oz. lemon juice
¾ oz. orange liqueur

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, and shake well until chilled. Strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.

Spanish Brandy

The Powhattan
Recipe courtesy of Wayne Curtis, author “And a Bottle of Rum: The History of the World in Ten Cocktails.”
Jerez is Spain’s most famous brandy-producing region, and its production dates back to the sixteenth century. If you can’t find the pumpkin spice syrup, you can infuse your own by simmering cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks with equal parts water and sugar.

1 ½ oz. Gran Duque d’Alba Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez
¾ oz. sweet vermouth
½ oz. Fee Brothers Pumpkin Spice Cordial Syrup
2 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
Cherry, for garnish

Add the first four ingredients to a cocktail glass, add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the cherry.

Armagnac

Saratoga CocktailRecipe courtesy of Armagnac Academies and David WondrichArmagnac is a very artisanal brandy from the Gascony region of France, and it’s distilled each November using alembic stills. This 1887 version of the Manhattan uses Armagnac in addition to rye. Feel free to garnish the drink with a boozy cherry instead of or in addition to the lemon peel.

1 oz. Château de Laubade VSOP Bas Armagnac
1 oz. Catoctin Creek Organic Roundstone Rye Whiskey
1 oz. sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 twist lemon peel

Add first four ingredients to a cocktail glass, add ice and stir well. Strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and twist the lemon peel over the top.

Kelly Magyarics, DWS, is CSX's Editor-in-Chief. She can be reached on email at kelly@drinkCSX.com, and on Twitter and Instagram @kmagyarics.